Use of bisphenolic compounds to treat type II diabetes

Abstract

This invention is directed to methods for treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, for reducing blood glucose levels, or hyperglycemia. The methods entail administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a composition whose active ingredient consists essentially of a compound of the following structure or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof: <IMAGE> In the compound R and R' are independently H or a C1-C20 alkyl or C2-C20 alkenyl group which may be substituted or unsubstituted. Alternatively, R and R' are such that together a cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl ring is formed. In the chain linking the two phenolic derivatives each of (C(R)=C(R')) or (C(R)(R')) are the same or different. A and A' are independently C2-C20 acylamino, C2-C20 acyloxy, C2-C20 alkanoyl, C2-C20 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C20 alkoxyl, C1-C20 alkyl amino, C2-C20 alkyl carboxyl, amino, C2-C20 carbalkoxyl, carboxyl, cyano, halo, hydroxy. B and B' are independently H, C2-C20 alkanoyl, C3-C20 alkenoyl, C2-C20 alkenyl, C2-C20 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C20 alkyl, aroyl, aralkanoyl, C2-C20 carbamoyl, or phosphate. The invention is also directed to methods of treatment using a bisphenolic compound in conjunction with another hypoglycemic or hypolipidemic agent.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for reducing blood glucose which comprises administering to a mammal a composition whose active ingredient consists essentially of nordihydroguaiaretic acid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 
     
     
       2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the compound is administered at a dose of 1-1000 mg per kg per day. 
     
     
       3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the compound is administered orally, parenterally, rectally or by inhalation.